Slade and Hill both start for England

EXETER Chiefs pair Henry Slade and Jonny Hill have both been named in the England side that takes on Tongo in the first of the Autumn Internationals at Twickenham, writes Stuart James.

Slade will again start at outside centre with Hill in the second row, but they are the only two representatives from the club with Sam Simmonds released from camp earlier in the week and expected to line-up for Exeter in their clash with Newcastle Falcons at Sandy Park tomorrow evening.

However, England’s plan of pairing Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell in a playmaking axis has been delayed by the Harlequins sensation’s leg injury.

Eddie Jones had intended to pick Smith at fly-half, but with his training severely limited by the unspecified problem, he is forced to settle for a bench role.

Instead, Farrell will act as ringmaster in his first start in the position since facing Scotland in February, four Tests ago.

It is a frustrating development that a 22-year-old seen as England’s most likely general for the 2023 World Cup will be limited to a cameo role only, but Jones insists he will be on the pitch against Tonga at some point.

“Marcus hasn’t been able to train,” Jones said. “He just did some light training today (Thursday) and we anticipate he’s going to be able to train fully tomorrow.

“Therefore we decided to start with Owen and Marcus will finish for us.”

Including Tests for the Lions, Farrell will be winning his 100th cap and has the reassuring physical presence of Manu Tuilagi at inside centre as the destructive centre returns after an 18-month international hiatus caused by injury.

England: Freddie Steward (Leicester); Adam Radwan (Newcastle), Henry Slade (Exeter), Manu Tuilagi (Sale), Johhny May (Gloucester); Owen Farrell (capt, Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester); Ellis Genge (Leicester), Jamie George (Saracens), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Jonny Hill (Exeter), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Sam Underhill (Bath), Tom Curry (Sale). Replacements: Jamie Blamire (Newcastle), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Will Stuart (Bath), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), George Furbank (Northampton).